Making money from developing either Android or IOS apps is not easy. There are already a gazillion apps for mobile and you would not only have to develop a really good app, but sell it to enough people to make it worth it. Don't forget that you're not going to be able to sell the apps for a lot of money each and that's if you even sell any.

I just sold my 2008 white macbook for $500. So a 2011 for $400 will be virtually impossible, Macs hold their value extremely well

A smart buyer should be able to do better than that. Used Macs hold their value below a certain amount. Once you get below $900 or so, the dropoff is sometimes much slower, as you're no longer in a price range where Apple offers refurbished or lower end models. If you're talking about the 15" machines, it becomes an issue of whether a new lower end machine outpaces the more expensive one from a generation or two back. I'd say you did much better than the buyer on that sale.

Like I said, I have an iPhone and ways to develop for it, but I do not have the Mac needed.. and while I love the Mac operating system, the hardware itself is over expensive ************.

As I stated, it is permitted to run 10.6 Server in a Virtual Machine. However, it isn't cheap, as you have to buy a licence to Snow Leopard Server.
Hackintoshing is sort of a gray area, but you typically have to build your own computers, and it has many limitations.

As I stated, it is permitted to run 10.6 Server in a Virtual Machine. However, it isn't cheap, as you have to buy a licence to Snow Leopard Server.
Hackintoshing is sort of a gray area, but you typically have to build your own computers, and it has many limitations.

Even if you manage to get a cheap Mac, realize that you must be a registered iPhone developer in order to put apps on devices as well as the App Store. That's $99 per year. If you are concerned about the $400 for the Mac, then I bet the extra $99 will blow your budget.

Even if you manage to get a cheap Mac, realize that you must be a registered iPhone developer in order to put apps on devices as well as the App Store. That's $99 per year. If you are concerned about the $400 for the Mac, then I bet the extra $99 will blow your budget.

Not at all, because it lasts an entire year.. And it pays for all of your downloads and everything else.